We've explored God's greatness and our call to pass on this legacy. Now, we encounter a beautiful paradox: the God of unmatched majesty who nevertheless cares deeply for His creation. Today, we'll discover how God's greatness is magnified, not diminished, by His tender compassion.
"God’s grace is so amazing because it is God’s way of reaching down to people who do not deserve to be reached. Grace is the means by which God not only rescues the undeserving from deserved judgment but also lavishes upon them His kindness and favor."
– R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God.
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-16
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made... The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing."
Imagine standing before the throne of the King of the universe. Now imagine that the King steps down, kneels beside you, and lifts you up with His firm, yet gentle hand. This is the God David introduces us to in these verses.
David begins with a portrait of God's character: "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." This isn't just a list of attributes; it's an invitation into relationship. The phrase "abounding in steadfast love" (rav chesed in Hebrew) suggests a love that's not just vast, but overflowing, spilling over the edges of our understanding.
But David doesn't stop at describing God's character. He shows us God in action: "The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." The same hands that sculpted mountains now tenderly lift the downtrodden. The God strong enough to speak galaxies into existence is gentle enough to wipe away our tears.
There's an incredible intimacy in these verses: "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season (Ps. 145:15)." Picture a world teeming with needy creatures, all looking expectantly to their Creator. And God, like a loving parent, provides for each one personally and perfectly timed.
"You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Ps. 145:16)." The open hand here is a beautiful image of God's generosity. He doesn't give grudgingly or sparingly, but openly, fully, satisfyingly. The God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills cares about your daily bread.
This is our God: majestic beyond comprehension, yet intimately involved in His creation. His greatness is not a distant, cold reality, but a personal, transformative presence in our lives. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncaring, we serve a God who is both powerful enough to rule the universe and loving enough to know the number of hairs on your head.
1. How does the combination of God's majesty and mercy change your approach to Him in prayer? In daily life?
2. Recall a time when you felt "fallen" or "bowed down." How did you experience God's upholding presence in that situation?
3. David speaks of God satisfying "the desire of every living thing." What desires in your life are you trusting God to satisfy? How can you deepen that trust?
The God who rules the cosmos with power also cares for me with His tender love. The same hand that upholds the universe is willing to satisfy my deepest needs.
Stay dialed in,
Jonny Ardavanis